HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Wilson, L. L. Articles by Watkins, J. L. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Wilson, L. L. Articles by Watkins, J. L.

Genetic Parameters of Live and Carcass Characters from Progeny of Polled Hereford Sires and Angus-Holstein Cows¹

The Pennsylvania State University, University Park 16802

Abstract

Live, carcass composition and carcass quality characters were measured on 646 progeny of Polled Hereford sires and Angus x Holstein dams and used to calculate heritability estimates and phenotypic and genetic correlations. The heritability estimates for 205-day weight (.35) and live body dimensions (–.01 to .19) were similar to previous reports, with the estimates for slaughter weight per day, .36, and carcass weight per day, .21, slightly lower than previous studies. Heritability estimates for fat thickness, trimmed round percent, trimmed loin percent, longissimus area, cutability and edible portion per day of age were .41, .26, .10, .42, .44 and .20, respectively. Heritability estimates for marbling, WB shear, and taste panel tenderness, juiciness and flavor were .33, .17, .23, .26, and –.06, respectively. The highest heritability estimate for any body dimension was .19 for body width. These results indicate that sire effects on most economic live and carcass traits are of similar importance in progeny of high-milk-producing beef-dairy crossbred cows compared to those from pure bred beef cows.

Growth and traits reflecting carcass meatiness were positively correlated phenotypically, but some of the genetic relationships were negative. Genetic correlations of growth and meatiness traits with carcass quality traits indicated some undesirable genetic antagonism, but the correlations were not consistent and generally low. At the individual slaughter weight endpoints used in this study (415 and 467 kg for heifers and steers, respectively), heifers were at a more advanced stage of maturity. None of the sex x sire interactions were significant, indicating that these two effects were additive.

¹ Contribution from the Department of Animal Science; approved by the Director, PAES, Paper No. 4716 in the Journal Series.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				A. Rios-Utrera, L. V. Cundiff, K. E. Gregory, R. M. Koch, M. E. Dikeman, M. Koohmaraie, and L. D. Van Vleck Genetic analysis of carcass traits of steers adjusted to age, weight, or fat thickness slaughter endpoints J Anim Sci, April 1, 2005; 83(4): 764 - 776. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. A. Nephawe, L. V. Cundiff, M. E. Dikeman, J. D. Crouse, and L. D. Van Vleck Genetic relationships between sex-specific traits in beef cattle: Mature weight, weight adjusted for body condition score, height and body condition score of cows, and carcass traits of their steer relatives J Anim Sci, March 1, 2004; 82(3): 647 - 653. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]